• Weighs 5.4 oz. (153 g.) for a US M9/US W10.5 (Unisex sizing)
• Speed and style for up to a mile
• BioMoGo and a Pebax plate for the go-go
• Maybe we wish it was a little louder?
• Available now for $130

RUBY: Out the box, Brooks hits you with a classy black and Nightlife colorway, with fluorescent yellow accents spicing up the stealthy upper and spike plate. Interestingly, Brooks came out with a white cross country spike, the Draft XC, yet stuck with black for the track. I’m no designer, but that feels a little back to front.

The overall familiarity was a little underwhelming — nothing about the spikes’ look screamed new, fresh, or exciting. That said, the sleek and breathable engineered mesh upper is built to last and keeps the feet ventilated well for those smoking hot summer track days.

At 5.4oz for a US unisex size 9, this spike is considerably heavier than the 4.7oz Nike ZoomX Dragonfly and 4.5oz HOKA Cielo X MD spikes, but matches Adidas’ closest competitor, the Adizero Ambition.

The Good

RUBY: I didn’t want to judge this spike solely on its underwhelming appearance, so I laced up for a track workout and was pleasantly surprised. The firm full-length Pebax Rnew plate, inlaid with carbon fiber, acts as a springboard into your next stride and has you rolling smoothly from foot strike to toe-off.

This spike is undoubtedly suited to higher speeds: the faster you run, the more the spikes give back to you. Think of 200m to 400m repeats, a fast 800m or mile race — the Brooks ELMN8 v6 is made with the middle distances in mind.

As far as the fit and lockdown are concerned, the Brooks ELMN8 v6 is a proper goldilocks shoe, and Brooks has nailed it. I previously reviewed the Brooks Draft XC spikes and noted that they came up a little short in length and fit too snuggly for my liking. In contrast, the ELMN8 fits true to size in both length and width in my standard size (for reference, I wear thin socks with my spikes, so the fit may be different depending on your choice of sock or no sock).

The laces are also just right: not too long and flappy, yet long enough to double or triple knot for those of us, like myself, paranoid about shoes becoming loose or untied midrace. As with all spikes, the toe box is streamlined for speed, but the accommodating engineered mesh upper fits like a sock without feeling like you’re trying to jam a square peg into a round hole.

The Bad

RUBY: The Brooks ELMN8 6 feels a little outdated and left behind in this age of super spikes and magic foams. Brooks has played it safe with minimal updates on previous models, avoiding experimenting with responsive foams like other spike brands are now doing. Stripped back to an aggressive 6-pin spike plate and thin midsole, you’d expect this spike to weigh in considerably lighter than the more cushioned Nike ZoomX Dragonfly and Adidas Adizero Ambition. But, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, it doesn’t. I’m left puzzled about what is adding to the weight: maybe the firm full-length Pebax Rnew plate?

With such a rigid and aggressive spike plate, this spike might not work for inexperienced track athletes or those with a pronounced heel strike. The Brooks ELMN8 v6 has you up on your toes and heavily loading the calves and Achilles, so be prepared for the lower legs to take a beating.

Brooks ELMN8 v6 Conclusion

RUBY: If you’re looking for a classic, traditional track spike designed for mid-distance performance, the Brooks ELMN8 v6 is worth considering. The full-length Pebax Rnew plate inlaid with carbon fiber really promotes maximum running efficiency and energy return at these distances.

However, for longer track races and workouts, anything from 5km upwards, the full-length plate is too aggressive, and the midsole lacks cushioning, leaving your legs feeling battered and beat up. Fortunately, Brooks isn’t marketing this spike at the longer distances, but I think it’s worth noting that the ELMN8 lacks the versatility of super spikes like the Nike ZoomX Dragonfly.

I was underwhelmed by its design, weight, and traditionality, but not everyone wants a super spike. At faster speeds, the Brooks ELMN8 certainly held its own. Brooks has nailed the fit and lockdown, so this might fit the bill for athletes looking to get up on their toes and perform at the mid-distance events.

You can pick up the Brooks ELMN8 v6 for $130 at Brooks by using the shop link below.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.

The post Brooks ELMN8 v6 Review: Go, Go, Goldilocks appeared first on Believe in the Run.

• Weighs 5.4 oz. (153 g.) for a US M9/US W10.5 (Unisex sizing)
• A much-needed update to the beloved Wire
• Might just be a diamond in the rough
• Plenty of cushion (for a spike) and plenty of pop
• Available now for $130

MERCER: Brooks athletes have been balling out these past couple of months. Josh Kerr is chasing records and talking shit on the Sit and Kick pod, while CJ Albertson is making folks work in Boston and setting a PR in the process. With everything going on, I was hoping Brooks would take a chance and step out of its comfortable Ghost and Adrenaline lane. Oh boy, did it. The Brooks Wire v7 is more than just a casual update in the best way possible.

The only thing about this shoe that hasn’t changed is the spike plate, which I wasn’t a big fan of in the last version, but more on that later. With a full-length Pebax plate and a big ass slab of DNA Flash, we have a lot of stuff to go over, so let’s make like Des and take that right on Hereford and left on Boylston into the finish.

The Good

MERCER: I went into this shoe thinking it would be like the Hyperion Elite — more of a trainer than the race day option I was craving. I was blown away by how it performed and felt, so let’s get into it.

There are a lot of eye-catchers (for better or worse) in this shoe so let’s start with the highlighter yellow — or maybe green — DNA Flash midsole. It works. It’s no ZoomX, but it was never supposed to be, which I love about this shoe. The DNA Flash itself doesn’t feel revolutionary, offering a slight cushion on impact and plenty of bounce like most nitrogen foams. However, the volume of foam makes the Brooks Wire v7 sing. There’s just so much of it, and it’s thick enough to carry you the distance — whatever distance that may be.

Sandwiched in the DNA Flash is a Pebax Plate that I didn’t even know was in there until I got rolling. The geometry of the plate gives it a smoother and bouncier ride that you feel from the starting gun to the finish line.

Brooks uses an interesting upper in this shoe, it has the same stitching as Nikes Atomknit, but it fills the threads with a film to keep the shoe formatted around the foot instead of a floppy pile of mesh. The laces used are pretty stretchy, and there is A LOT of lacing to do, but you can definitely get that lock-down fit.

Brooks is itself in this shoe, and that’s exactly what I love about it. No more copying Nike, just make up your own shit and be proud to wear it.

The Bad

MERCER: Like Josh Kerr’s facial hair, I felt this shoe was missing something, but it took me a while to figure it out. The answer is it’s that outsole plate. I think it needs to be a tad more aggressive to improve the stability and allow for greater compression of the foam as it spills over the edges of the plate.

While great and breathable, the upper was a bit too narrow for me and would leave my foot cramped for a bit after wearing it. Also, the sheer number of lacing holes makes it hard to loosen the upper easily.

Brooks Wire v7 Conclusion

MERCER: This is a great spike, and I’m excited to see what Brooks does in the future with the Wire v8. Right now, v7 holds the EU record for both the 1500m and 1600m. For the time being, if you don’t want to splash on Nike spikes or want the next best thing, the Brooks Wire V7 will be there for you.

You can pick up the Brooks Wire v7 for $130 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.

The post Brooks Wire v7 Review: A Diamond for the Oval appeared first on Believe in the Run.

• Weighs 3.7 oz. (104.89 g.) for a US M9/ US W10.5
• Best (and brightest) upper in the whole dang game
• You already know — X means a carbon plate
• Coming soon at Running Warehouse for $160

MERCER: The HOKA Cielo X LD, probably one of the worst kept secrets of prototype shoes in history (besides the Streakfly), has finally arrived. And after seeing it on the feet of Olympians such as Luis Grijalva, it begs the question, is there a new top-of-the-line spike? This spike takes a lot of inspiration from older spikes such as the Nike Matumbo and gives them a new light. Some may find they like it better than new age spikes like the Dragonfly or New Balance LDX.

JORDYNN: Let me introduce the Hoka Cielo X LD. The color is Radiant Yellow, but it’s more of a sun-kissed tangerine and grapefruit combination, with a faint baby blue sole and logo lettering. You will definitely have all eyes on your feet from the stands. This spike reminds me of my favorite state to run in — sunny, citrusy Florida!

The materials are 100% mesh upper, with a carbon fiber strike plate, foam sole, and 4-pattern spike placement. The laces are just the right size (which by now you know long laces are a pet peeve of mine), the spike has a heel forming lock, with just the right amount of venting along the sides and forefoot perfect for the airing out the buildup of the summer heat. The colors are just amazing, and the strike plate is a holographic material that will have your competitors admiring the back of your feet as you blaze past them. Overall, the Cielo has a nice snug feel with the right amount of leeway in the toebox and lots of flexibility.

The Good

MERCER: Starting with the upper that looks and feels like it was ripped straight off the Matumbo and Victory 3, the Hoka Cielo X LD provides the best fitting upper for spikes I have tried on in a long time. It is light and airy and disappears on foot, and the lacing system locks it down to a science. The upper is definitely the best part of this shoe, and I am hopeful that this style of engineered mesh comes back to the forefront of long-distance spikes.

And it’s so great that they used it for their mid-distance shoe, too.

Switching gears to the bottom of the shoe, the strike plate is reasonably standard with a horseshoe plate with teeth surrounding the outline of the shoe, which gave a fairly decent grip on the track and allowed for a quick turnover. There is a solid amount of exposed foam and the exposed plate, but you don’t really care unless you’re running on a gravel track, and it saves some weight. Hoka decided to add some more grippy plastic at the outer heel for some stability features, and I haven’t had any problems.

The carbon fiber used in this shoe is probably my favorite use of a plate, it isn’t too noticeable, but it keeps the legs moving when they are shredded.

JORDYNN: I loved that the spikes were so lightweight. These were probably some of the lightest distance spikes that I have worn. In the past, you sometimes had an extremely light shoe that ended up weighed down by its plate. This was not the case with the Hoka Cielo X LD. Even though the plate was light, there was still some durability and flexibility in the shoe, which helped at the end of my runs when I was using more propulsion to finish. Not to mention the beauty again, but the color is just so vibrant, like a succulent orange waiting to be picked.

The Bad

MERCER: The recent trend of distance spikes is getting more aggressive forefoot plates, and this shoe really needed that — the center of the ball of my foot just felt weak and useless because there was no plate filling that spot (internal or external).

The future is now, and every brand is leaving EVA out of their race shoes except HOKA, it seems. The midsole was a mushy mess at 70 degrees, yet a brick at 45 degrees and the only thing that barely got it moving was that plate.

I’m also slightly tearing the upper off of the foam in my right foot, but that might be just my model.

JORDYNN: Overall, the Hoka Cielo X LD were phenomenal. However, I feel like I would only be able to get in a few weekend races with the spike. My intuition says that it is not made for durability, and its useful life would be relatively short. I feel this way because of how light and airy the foam sole is. And one wrong step from myself or a competitor would tear it apart rather quickly. The goal with this spike would be to use the lightweight advantage to get out in front early and leave everyone else behind.

HOKA Cielo X LD Spike Conclusion

MERCER: If this shoe dropped at the 2016 Olympics, HOKA would have both the greatest spike in the world and probably a letter from Nike telling them to stop copying their upper. But we are here in 2022 now, and the midsole just doesn’t hold up to FuelCell or ZoomX. If you enjoyed spikes from the past, this will be your favorite thing ever, but if you crave that new technology, you might want to look at another brand.

JORDYNN: I would rate the HOKA Cielo X LD Spike in my top five choices for both race day ready and track fashionista. The spike is the perfect color for an energetic pick-me-up and has the perfect fit and function to help you win some races. I can’t wait to try the spike out during the season, so hopefully, you’ll see me out there soon lookin’ like a smooth orange flash around the track!

You can pick up the HOKA Cielo X LD soon at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.

The post HOKA Cielo X LD Spike Performance Review appeared first on Believe in the Run.

• Weighs 6.2 oz. (175 g.) for a US M9 / 6.0 oz. (170 g.) for a US W8
• Sweet RevLite RC foam and grippy rubber outsole
• New upper makes for a rather chunky spike
• On clearance now for $49 at Running Warehouse.

MERCER: The New Balance XC7 V3 is one of the many popular models that you’ll see on athletes from cross country through the outdoor track season. It’s a beautiful spike with enough cushion and pop to last a long time. An update in the upper makes it feel chunky but is still breathable and light on foot.

The Good

MERCER: The blown rubber outsole is nice and grippy. You’ll be able to cover all sorts of surfaces in these. The rubber runs the length of the shoe, which even gives the spike a little pop off the toe. For a beginner spike, I wish the New Balance XC7 V3 had a little bit more of that RevLite goodness to give newer runners a little more cushion. That said, the midsole feels great as is and more than gets you through the finish line.

The upper on this spike is like a cake. The inside contains a plush layer for a soft on-foot feel, and then it has this funky frosting/overlay layer on the outside. Mud and dirt aren’t getting into this spike. Water might be an issue, but it isn’t too much of a problem.

The Bad

MERCER: My feet don’t like New Balance shoes. I went true to size, and my feet felt a little cramped. The upper also runs hot, so by the end of a workout, you’re feet will be barking. If you live in a hotter area, the old model has a thinner upper that could work better for you.

New Balance XC7 V3 Conclusion

MERCER: The New Balance XC7 v3 is a solid beginner spike without the bells and whistles of more specialized models. I’d love to see some weight shaved off for a cleaner look and better feel, but what New Balance has going on right now is pretty good. Other cross country spikes I’d compare this to are the Nike Zoom Rival XC and the Saucony Kilkenny XC 8.

You can pick up the New Balance XC 7 V3 on clearance for $49 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

The post New Balance XC7 V3 Performance Review appeared first on Believe in the Run.

• Weighs 6.5 oz. (184 g) for a US M9 / US W10.5
• 6-pin XC-specific spikes
• BioMoGo midsole crosses over from daily training to weekend meets
• Give these to an artist in your life and let em go crazy

MERCER: The Brooks Draft XC is the latest cross country spike in the brand’s lineup. It’s a breath of fresh air in the XC spike game, with a very soft underfoot and a comfortable mesh upper that you can draw on. Shoutout to Thomas for going absolutely nuts on these.

RUBY: After getting over the shock of a white cross country spike, I was surprised by how cushioned the Draft XC is. In my experience, spikes normally resemble a few pins screwed into a hard plate with an upper attached. But this one is a different beast, with cushion for days and a drawable upper, Brooks is onto something here.

The Good

MERCER: Most racing shoes out there are narrow as f$%@, leaving many people to feel a bit cramped like our wonderful reviewer Wide Foot Jarrett. In contrast, the Draft XC features a wide, chunky base which is really helpful when running over rough roots and rocks. Think of the difference between the Clifton to the Clifton Edge.

The mesh upper is borderline sloppy but provides great breathability. If the plastic material wasn’t there, this shoe would look like melting ice cream. 

While the track has evolved with the times to include more cushion underfoot, XC has yet to adapt with a sliver of EVA still the standard. The Draft XC features Brooks’ popular BioMoGo foam for a softer feel than spikes like the Nike Victory XC. The midsole definitely saves your legs when it comes down to that final mile.

The rugged outsole is a huge plus and provides a lot of traction along rougher trails and solid grip on roads.

I’m a big fan of the artistic freedom that Brooks promotes on the Draft XC with the ability to draw on them. Allowing runners to put their own special touch on their shoes elevates cross country as a sport. I can’t wait to see what people do with their spikes. One more shoutout to Thomas for going crazy on my pair, they’re definitely turning heads.

RUBY: These spikes are actually comfortable. The BioMoGo cushioning makes for a soft and responsive ride. 

Usually, distance running in spikes leaves your calves and Achilles feeling beat up and bruised for days after a race. However, my legs felt fresh and spry after a 6K cross country race. For athletes who race in spikes often, like HS and college runners, the Brooks Draft XC can be a game-changer. Speedier recovery means getting back to training faster and performing better at the next race. 

A small feature that shouldn’t be overlooked, the heel webbing makes this shoe easy to put on and take off. That’s a big bonus after races when you’ve got cold, wet, muddy feet and you want to get your spikes off ASAP. 

Unlike most spikes, I really like the fit of the Draft XC. It sports a secure lockdown but is roomy enough for toes to splay, and a single-layer vamp mesh upper offers breathability and good drainage. Brooks perfected the widths of each area of this shoe, increasing stability and grip on uneven XC surfaces.

The Bad

MERCER: This is a bulky-ass shoe. I wish the rubber was dialed back a bit to get closer to that ideal 6 oz range for an XC spike.

The spike wells in the Draft XC suck. The plastic on the outside is exposed, so running on concrete with blanks in the wells gives less grip and some slippage on the roads. I’ve seen similarly exposed plastic on other spikes bend inward and block the hole entirely, making the shoe worthless.

RUBY: This shoe is white in a sport synonymous with mud and dirt. For what it’s worth, XC shoes are getting dirty and muddy no matter their color, but for some, it’s a big turnoff. Personally, I’m cool with the white design.

Brooks Draft XC Conclusion

MERCER: The Brooks Draft XC is what cross country needed this year: a fun shoe that’s available in a wide range of sizes at a fair price. It isn’t the fastest shoe out there, but if someone looks at my spikes and sees zombies, I’m in their head. 

RUBY: The comfort and cushioning of the Brooks Draft XC complements the aggressive 6-pin spike plate for a faster and more responsive feel. Brooks has mastered the balance of not sacrificing speed for the sake of comfort. The Draft XC sizes up well next to the Nike Zoom Victory 5 XC, but the Draft also retails for half the price. That’s easy math.

You can pick up the Brooks Draft XC at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.

The post Brooks Draft XC Performance Review appeared first on Believe in the Run.

• Weighs 4.5 oz. (127.5 g) for a US M9 / W10.5
• Aggressive spike plate digs into the track
• Friendly to those who wear socks and those who don’t
• Overall simple design, almost like the Pegasus of the track

MERCER: The Nike Zoom 400 is a spike that’s stripped down to the basics. With an aggressive PEBAX outsole and a light, airy upper, this spike works for anyone any day of the week. No plates, no airbags, just the bare essentials.

JORDYNN: All around simplicity is what you get with the Nike Zoom 400. This spike is a good, long-lasting performer that lets the runner stride around the track with ease.

The Good

MERCER: The Zoom 400 has everything for you 400-800 runners. Lightweight phylon cushion saves your legs in the final stretch of any race or workout. It can be best described as the polar opposite of the Victory. This spike doesn’t rebound you to the moon or propel you forward. You are the power source for the Zoom 400. 

Launching out of the starting blocks, the outsole allows you to hold on tight to that curve. The aggressive spike plate rockets you down the straights in a controlled manner. Personally, the seven spike pattern is a tad aggressive for the 800, so I recommend taking out the middle spike in the bottom row for a better ride. 

The Flyweave upper provides a light feel on foot and provides a lot of quality of life changes. It has a seamless toe that allows you to accidentally drag your toe out of the blocks and not completely ruin the spike. Lockdown is phenomenal in this spike too.

JORDYNN: My test runs in the Zoom 400 consisted of 2 reps of 60, 80, 60s workout, and a 4x300m workout. The Flyweave upper is form-fitting, wrapping the heel and sides of my foot nicely. No stability problems with this one, and no blisters or hot spots either. 

With just enough phylon cushioning in the midsole, it absorbs ground impact well and doesn’t just feel like the spike plate hitting the ground.

The Bad

MERCER: I really liked the stripped-down feel of this spike, but I’d love to see some ZoomX added to the next iteration. I feel like it would add a little bit more bounce for the 400 and cushion for the 800. Other than that, can’t complain.

JORDYNN: My only real complaint is the toe box being a little wide around the front of the spike. However, it does tighten up through the forefoot, ankle and heel.

Nike Zoom 400 Conclusion

MERCER: For anyone who wants a workhorse of a spike, the Nike Zoom 400 is your stallion. It can cover the 200 meter all the way up to the 800 no problem. I like the stripped-down feel that doesn’t get in the way of the person wearing it.

JORDYNN: If you want an everyday practice spike, the Nike Zoom 400 is perfect.  It’s a minimalist spike that gets the job done. Nothing to rant and rave about, but if you’re looking for a loyal, trusty companion, look no further.

You can pick up the Nike Zoom 400 at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) by using the shop link below.

The post Nike Zoom 400 Performance Review appeared first on Believe in the Run.